Salem College vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington & Jefferson College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,309 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Salem College vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or W&J? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem College than W&J ($18,668 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 6.8% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($13,710 vs. $14,710).
• Salem College is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $4,456 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Salem College than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $4,456 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Washington & Jefferson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 48.9% larger than aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students ($30,001 vs. $20,152).

Salem College vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or W&J? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between W&J and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 20 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming W&J students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 12.6% at W&J.

Salem College vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and W&J? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington & Jefferson College and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington & Jefferson College and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.